Winning Bizness Desk

Mumbai.India is set to begin local production of Russia’s SJ-100 civil commuter aircraft. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) to build these planes in India. The agreement was signed on October 28 in Moscow by HAL’s Prabhat Ranjan and UAC’s Oleg Bogomolov, in the presence of HAL Chairman and Managing Director D.K. Sunil and UAC Director General Vadim Badekha. Officials said this partnership could become a turning point for India’s regional connectivity program under the UDAN scheme.

A revival of passenger aircraft manufacturing in India

India last manufactured a full passenger aircraft between 1961 and 1988, when HAL built the AVRO HS748. Since then, the country has largely depended on imported planes. This new collaboration with Russia marks a major comeback in civil aircraft production and could reduce India’s heavy import dependence. The SJ-100 project also reflects India’s growing interest in developing its own civil aviation ecosystem alongside its military aviation expertise.

Background of HAL and UAC

HAL is a government-owned aerospace company best known for making military aircraft such as the Tejas fighter jet. The company is now expanding into the civil aviation segment as part of its diversification plan. UAC, on the other hand, is Russia’s state-owned aerospace conglomerate producing both military and civil aircraft. It has built more than 200 SJ-100 planes, which are currently in service with over 16 commercial airline operators. The partnership extends the long-standing India-Russia defense cooperation into the civilian space, giving HAL rights to produce SJ-100 aircraft locally.

SJ-100 aircraft features and potential

The SJ-100 is a narrow-body, twin-engine commuter aircraft designed for short regional routes. It can carry 75 to 100 passengers and cover distances ranging from 100 to 500 kilometers. Its design and efficiency make it well-suited for India’s small-city routes and regional airports. In Russia, these aircraft have already proven successful in providing reliable short-distance connectivity.

Why SJ-100 could be a game-changer for UDAN

HAL believes that local production of the SJ-100 could transform the government’s UDAN scheme, which aims to connect smaller towns like Gorakhpur, Deoghar, and Port Blair with affordable air travel. The plane’s fuel efficiency and reduced production cost could make regional flights more viable. Over the next decade, India will need more than 200 such jets to serve its expanding network of over 100 new airports. The project could also create thousands of local jobs for engineers, technicians, and supply-chain workers, while cutting India’s 90% dependence on imported aircraft. Moreover, the SJ-100 could serve export markets in the Indian Ocean region, linking popular destinations like the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Production roadmap and financial outlook

While the exact financial details are yet to be revealed, early estimates suggest each SJ-100 could cost between 20 to 25 million dollars, or around 170 to 200 crore rupees. Russia will provide HAL with technical support for design, engines, and assembly. In the short term, a joint working group will be formed to start prototype testing and certification within the next two years. Over the next decade, the plan is to produce more than 200 SJ-100 aircraft, catering not just to India but also to markets across Asia and Africa. HAL CMD D.K. Sunil said the project will give new direction to India’s civil aviation industry, while UAC’s Vadim Badekha called it a strategic step in strengthening bilateral cooperation.

In a nutshell

• HAL and Russia’s UAC sign MoU to produce SJ-100 aircraft in India
• First full passenger aircraft project since AVRO HS748 (1961–1988)
• Partnership to boost India’s civil aviation self-reliance
• SJ-100 fits regional routes under India’s UDAN scheme
• Local manufacturing to create thousands of skilled jobs
• Estimated unit cost between 170–200 crore rupees
• Target to produce 200+ aircraft in 10 years for India and exports